A major confrontation has erupted between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military council over a significant drug seizure in Yangon’s South Dagon Township. The military council claimed that drugs worth 96 billion kyats were seized on March 6 at 7:30 PM from a warehouse on Shin Phyu Shin Road in Ward 144, South Dagon Township. According to their statement, the seized items included over 3 tons of ice (methamphetamine) and 200 kilograms of ketamine, allegedly being prepared for shipment to Malaysia.
The military council’s statement implicated AA’s economic officer Ye Win (aka) Kyaw Soe Lin and his wife Ma Thida Myint, who owns the Shwe Kaung Tha boat service, in managing the drug operation. The seizure operation resulted in the arrest of five individuals – Than Lwin, Weya Aung, Thant Kaung Set, Ye Yint Naing, and Hla Than Oo – along with three vehicles. The military council claimed the drugs were being controlled by Tin Maung Win from Pangsang city in the Wa Self-Administered Region and transported by Than Lwin, with several other individuals arrested in connection with the distribution network in Yangon.
In response, the AA issued a strong denial, characterizing the military council’s accusations as a political attack aimed at damaging their reputation while facing military defeats. The AA’s statement emphasized that drug trafficking, gambling, and criminal activities are primarily found in areas controlled by the military council, such as Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay. They argued that such activities persist due to corruption and bribery among high-ranking military officers. The AA categorically denied any connection to the drug seizure, describing the military council’s allegations as a typical political smear tactic employed when facing military setbacks.
